The Perpetual Pivot: Understanding Care Partner Experiences in Ontario Long-Term Care Homes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Long-term care homes (LTCHs) were impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. With their ever-changing conditions and restrictions, care partners’ roles in LTCHs changed drastically. In this cross-sectional study, an electronic survey was used to examine the experiences of care part-ners who were caring for one or more adults in an Ontario LTCH during the pandemic. The survey was circulated through social media (convenience sample) which produced a convenience sample of 81 caregiver participants. Visit characteristics and a comparison in the quality of care in LTCHs was analyzed before the pandemic as well as during the most restrictive times. Visitation lengths and frequencies, other sources of communication such as phone and video calls, and various types of care provided by caregivers such as personal grooming and personal care all decreased significantly during the pandemic. Care partners also reported that the health of their care recipients decreased significantly during restrictive visitation times. Through thematic analysis, we identified three themes: restrictions and changing LTCH conditions created (1) social isolation and an erosion of connection, (2) a communication breakdown, and (3) a lack of person-centered care. Findings from this research can promote the health and wellbeing of residents and care partners within LTCHs.